The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1887-09-15
\ CONTRAST
Well Drawn Between Henry Ward
Beecher and Joseph Parker.
Arthur WardlaW in n Y Herald

Beecher and Joseph Parker.
[Arthur Wardlaw in n Y Herald
Two men of the same race, speaking the
same tongue and holding the same cardi-
nal principles of morals and religion could
hardly be named in the annals of the pull
pit more unlike in constitutional tempera-
ment, in mental characteristics and IN
outward habit of life than Mr. Henry
Ward Beecher and DR.. Joseph Parker.
To one knowing both and to one having
sat under the ministry of both it is ncon-
ceivable that the congregation brought to-
gether and built up, nourished and fash
ioned into moral life of simple, genuine,
whole souled manly, womanly, all round
humanity, could possibly respond to or
care for ne ministry of DR.. Joseph Parker.
Look upon this pictures"
For forty years Mr. Henry Ward Beecher
was to Plymouth Church the sweetest,
strongest, sublimest spiritual illumination
that ever mortal man was to mortal men
and women He was from every point of
view, as il seems perfectly obvious to me,
in his way and after his kind immeasura-
bly, the greatest genius of this century.
He had Lincoln's integrt. of mind, Emer-
sons lucid moral perception, Sainte-
Beuve's subtitle psychical analysis, Ruskin's
comprehension of nature, Victor Hugo's
, facility for word painting and GladstOne's
power of marshalling phrases. He had
love and sacrifice like unto Jesus, his Lord
and Master. He was the most open, the
le',st hiduen personality ever born among
the sons of men.
And what preacher! With him it was
free issue of soul or it was silence. His
preaching was the largest discourse that
mas ever greeted the ears of men. His
presence, his character, his whole being in
r hIs lo. III Nv
pocrlsy. reproof to vanity, a reproach to
righteousness.
And he never acted. Dramatic he was,
but he was never theatrical. He never
studied method nor sought for effect. He
touched every side of life. He felt every
sentiment, aspiration, grief, despair every
JOY, hope, and all the desolations of the
sons Of men. He never encountered a
riddle of human passion except to solve it
by the mighty comprehension Of his own
immense personality.
And now upon this"
DR.. Joseph Parker is different manner
Of man.
The dootorate is the vain and empty
gift of some American college, some school
seeking the display Of glory through con-
ferring it.
DR.. Joseph Parker is, dare say, well
meaning and amiable man. He has not
the bearing and address of intellectual re-
finement. No doubt he has good heart
Men upon his plane of birth and breeding
are commonly not wanting in this question
able cOmpenSatlon-wh the luckless ma
jority of the race are delighted to praise
as good fellowship.
Men of personal vanities pay out large
treasures OF good humor and forced smiles
vicarousiy to purchase the good will and
ono GA ha at ~ haI falI
Or. Joseph Parker never knew one mo-
ment of spiritual abandon. He never
knows one unconscious moment. He never
took time TO think of God or man except
in their relations TO himself. l lave made
a study of DR.. Joseph Parker
The City Temple-a bombastic name for
Very d!ngy and dreary middle class
meeting house at Holborn Viaduct, Lon
! don-calls within its walls on the Sunday
a congregation of shopkeepers and trades
! people who are not altogether sensation
! their midst many times that they are a
congregation of, at least, emotional ser
! iousuess. DR.. Joseph Parker is their
| priest. He has gathered the flock, who
! know his voice and follow him. To them
| he is Il helpful, perhaps an inspiring,
| preacher. He is orator!oal, although never
| eloquent He is theatrical if you please.
He paints pictures of floods, of fires and
of pestilences His hair stands on end as
though purposely that he may run his
fingers through it. His discourse has nc
surprises of thought or imagery; it is neve.
luminous, sometimes it is turgid, always
it is grotesque.
DR.. Joseph Parker is familiar with the
genesis of the natural and moral universe
He takes the Almighty into his confidence
and instructs him IN all his ways. Did
you ever hear Mr.. Henry Ward Beechel
pray: How he could sob his way warily
into the presence and very heart of God
What tenderness, penitenoe, dffidence
confidence. | have heard DIR. Joseph
Parker pray. 1t was business transac
tion from first to last 1t was an OblatiOI
of grand phrases in even barter for Sc
much protection, prosperity and plentiful
ness. In pulpit discourse there are laud
able substitutes for the illumination O
thought. Whitfield and Father Taylo
carried you captive by their rush of spon
taneous and holy feeling DR.. JOSEPH
Parker must be accorded the suprem,
grace of Christian character and the aohiev
ing genius Of professional industry.
For the STATE CHRONICLE.
SONG OF DEATH.